Make Your Own Laundry Soap

Why buy laundry detergent when you can make your own?

My mother-in-law has used this recipe for quite some time and introduced it to me. Neither of us would use anything else. You can mix up as much as you want at one time and it will last you quite a while... longer than a bottle of liquid detergent will. An added benefit - (especially for someone like me with more sensitive skin) - is none of these ingredients will irritate your skin.

Combine:

12 cups borax

8 cups baking soda (Arm&Hammer)

8 cups washing soda (Also Arm&Hammer...buy it at KT&C or online at Amazon.com)

8 cups grated bar soap (optional but great for scent..I like to use Ivory)

Mix all together and store in a gallon or so sized plastic bucket with a lid. I snagged a lid from an empty bottle of laundry detergent and keep that in the bucket. Then just fill the cap half way (about 1/8 cup) and sprinkle in the bottom of the washer, leaving a bit for the top of the clothes if you'd like.